Keweenaw Nature Orientation Week (KNOW) Trips: Get in the KNOW!
Due to the limited capacity of KNOW Trips, students who are interested in more than one trip, are encouraged to sign-up for their top choice and e-mail orientation@mtu.edu to be added to a waiting list for the other trip(s) of interest. If the trip capacities are not met, you will be contacted and invited to join.
Please note, when purchasing tickets online, you will need to create a username and password. This username and password is separate from your assigned University ID.
Isle Royale June 16-20 (limited to 10 students)
Cost: $250.00
Join the Outdoor Adventure Program, OAP, as we backpack Isle Royale National Park. Isle Royale has been described as the least visited but most revisited national park, with good reason. Isle Royale can only be reached by ferry or sea plane, making this the perfect adventure. After a ferry ride across Lake Superior, we will begin our hike and take in all that Isle Royale has to offer, including a chance at seeing a moose or wolf. Trip cost includes all transportation from Houghton to Isle Royale National Park and back, permits, food, and group gear.
Isle Royale Website
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park July 13-17 (limited to 10 students)
Cost: $175.00
The Porkies, as they are more commonly known, provide a wide range of experience within its approximately 60,000 acres including waterfalls, cliffs, marshes, lakes, and spectacular shoreline on Lake Superior. Join the OAP and sample just a part of what the Porkies has to offer as we backpack our way through the rugged Upper Peninsula. Trip cost includes all transportation from Houghton to PMWSP and back, permits, food and group gear. Ticket sales will close on July 7, 2009.
Porkies Website
Sylvania Wilderness Area August 17-22 (limited to 10 students)
Cost $200.00
For those who may not want to backpack the whole week, this trip is for you. The OAP will be exploring the Sylvania Wilderness Area by canoe over this 5 day experience. The Sylvania Wilderness Area has been described as a small version of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. We will be portaging between numerous lakes and rivers linking over 30 lakes in the 18,000+ acre wilderness. Trip cost includes all transportation from Houghton to Sylvania and back, permits, canoes (including paddles, pfd’s, and yokes), food, and group gear. Ticket sales will close on August 10, 2009.
Sylvania Wilderness Website
Orientation Weekend Trips
Geological Excursion - Saturday, August 29
(limited to 12 students)
8:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Cost: $15.00
This day trip starts out with a visit to the Adventure Mine located south of Michigan Tech in Greenland. After finishing the exciting Prospector’s Tour, students will stop at a local eatery for Pasties – one of the U.P.’s most famous meals, and a tradition which started with miners in the early 1900’s. Finally, the group will make the three-mile round-trip hike to see Silver Mountain and Sturgeon Falls, where one can experience some of the magnificent terrain and major rock types. Depending on the weather, students may have the option to swim near the falls. Please wear sturdy hiking boots or shoes, and bring a swimsuit, towel, water bottle, and jacket (the mine tends to be chilly even in the summer). Your fee covers admission into the mine, transportation, and a pasty lunch.
Porkies Trip - Saturday, August 29
(limited to 42 students)
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Cost: $15.00
This day trip gives you the chance to explore a small part of the almost 60,000 acres of the Porcupine Mountains located just outside of Ontonagon. Over 100 miles of trails curve throughout the largest area of undeveloped wilderness in the state, revealing many breathtaking views, waterfalls, and wildlife. Join 41 other first-year students and enjoy a day outside in this magnificent State Park. You should plan to bring your own personal water bottle, insect repellant, and make sure to wear sturdy hiking boots or shoes. The fee includes lunch, snacks, and admission to the park.
Porkies Website
Overnight in Copper Harbor - Saturday, August 29 – Sunday, August 30
(limited to 36 students)
Meet at 8:00 AM
Departs at 8:30 AM
Cost: $50.00
On this overnight trip, you’ll join other first-year students and head off to the beautiful Copper Harbor area. Enjoy kayaking on Lake Superior and participate in an exciting Geocache Adventure. End your night with a breathtaking view of the sunset from atop Brockway Mountain. Overnight camping will be at Fort Wilkins Historic State Park. The fee covers all meals and snacks, the bus trip up to Copper Harbor, kayak rentals, and the entrance fee into Fort Wilkins. Tents will be provided, but plan on bringing your own personal water bottle, insect repellant, sun screen, flashlight, sleeping bag, poncho or jacket, swimsuit, and towel. For more information on Geocaching, please visit http://www.geocaching.com/faq/.
Copper Harbor Website
Overnight Sylvania Wilderness Area Canoe Trip (limited to 20 students)
Saturday, August 29 – Sunday, August 30
Meet at 8:00 AM
Departs at 8:30 AM
Cost: $50.00
Visit the rustic Sylvania Wilderness Area, located just south of Watersmeet near the Wisconsin border. With almost 19,000 acres of pristine natural growth pines, 34 named lakes, and sandy beaches, this area provides a rare outlook on nature at its finest. Spend a fun filled weekend canoeing, hiking, swimming, and wilderness camping. The fee covers transportation, park admission, canoe rental, and food. Some camping experience is suggested as the camping will be very rustic. Bring your own sleeping bag (lightweight/ backpacking), water bottle, plastic bowl or cup, insect repellent, sun screen, rain poncho or jacket, swimsuit, and towel. Tents will be provided. If you do not own a sleeping bag or backpack, they can be rented from the Outdoor Adventure Program for a small fee. To reserve, please email oap@mtu.edu and mention that it is for the Orientation trip to receive a special discount! To learn more about wilderness camping at Sylvania, please visit:
Sylvania Wilderness Website
Intro to the Tech Trails - Saturday, August 29
(limited to 30 students)
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Cost: FREE
Come on up and get to know the Tech Trails with members of the Copper Country Cycling Club. If you like mountain biking and want to get some in before classes start, just bring your bike and helmet up to the trails and have some fun! Just remember that a helmet is required to ensure your safety. Don’t have your bike? Don’t worry! Mountain bikes can be rented through the Outdoor Adventure Program in the Memorial Union Building for a nominal fee. Reserve ahead of time by emailing oap@mtu.edu or by calling (906) 487-2290. Be sure to mention that the reservation is for the Orientation trip.
Tech Trails Website
Experience Tech Paintball - Saturday, August 29
(limited to 26 students)
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Cost: $12.00
Experience paintball at Michigan Tech! Come on out to meet the members of the Michigan Tech Paintball Club and play a few exciting rounds of paintball with other incoming students. We will be playing both speedball and woodsball in a recreational format. Guns and masks are provided, but bring your own equipment if you have any. The fee covers transportation to and from the paintball field, 500 rounds of paint, equipment use, and a snack.
Keweenaw Waterway Tour - Saturday, August 29
(limited to 145 students)
Boarding at 2:00 PM
Return at 4:00 PM
Cost: $15.00
Be ready to board the Keweenaw Star at 2:00 PM for a 2:30 PM departure. This one-and-a-half-hour cruise will take you up and down the gorgeous Portage Canal, and will stop at several landmark sites. Learn about your new town while enjoying the sun and breeze of a boat ride with your friends. If you would like to walk down to the boarding docks with OTLs and other first year students, please meet at the Rozsa front entrance at 1:15 PM Soft drinks and juice are available for purchase on board. The fee covers your cruise ticket.
Little Huskies Child Development Center
Community Service Project - Saturday, August 29
(limited to 30 students)
9:00 AM
Cost: FREE
We invite NEW Huskies to come assist the Little Huskies Child Development Center. Student Activities is leading a Service Saturday Project for 30 first-year students. You are invited to assist with projects in and around the center. Help build a recreation trail, service the outdoor & indoor play equipment or work miscellaneous tasks inside. The service project is from 9:00 AM until complete on Saturday, August 29. Please meet in the Wadsworth Hall lobby.